| Name |
Meaning |
Name of Fame |
Parlan
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Variant of Partholon. The first invader of the island of Ireland after the biblical flood was named Partholon according to ancient tradition. According to the Annals of the Four Masters he arrived in 2680 BC and 2061 BC according to Seathrun Ceitinn's chronology. The name has given rise to the legend of the Partholonians, his followers who settled the island. Has been adopted as a surname in the forms Parlan, Parlane and anglicised as Bartholomew, Barclay and Berkley. Famous names Rangers and Leeds United footballer Derek Parlane amd New Zealand Country music star Noel Parlane. |
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Partholon
Parthalon |
The first invader of the island of Ireland after the biblical flood was named Partholon according to ancient tradition. Parlan is a variant. The name has given rise to the legend of the Partholonians, his followers who settled the island. Has been adopted as a surname in the forms Parlan, Parlane and anglicised as Bartholomew, Barclay and Berkley. Famous names: Rangers and Leeds United footballer Derek Parlane amd New Zealand Country music star Noel Parlane. |
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Patrick
Padraig, Phadrig, Phaedrig |
Latin: 'Noble'. Did you know St Patrick's Day is sometimes called Peadar's (Peter's) Day? Here’s why. The name comes from the Latin adjective patricius given to those who belonged to the exalted nobility of ancient Rome, the ‘patricians’. Despite its Latin origins Patrick has been wholeheartedly adopted as Ireland’s signature name largely due to the (Scottish born) St Patrick, an early missionary to the country. In his life between 385-461 Patrick gave rise to many legends including his cleansing the island of Ireland of serpents. He became patron saint of Ireland but to begin with the name was not commonly used out of reverence although the name was gaining currency through names such as Gilpatrick, Fitzpatrick and Maelpatrick. Fitzpatrick arose as a Norman form of the Gaelic form Mac an Giolla Pddraig, 'Son of the servant of Patrick'. By the 17th century Patrick was becoming commonplace in its own right. The name has long been associated with Peter. The usual Irish form of Patrick is Padraig but there are variants including Padraic, Patric and Peyton. Pha( e )drig. Pet forms are Pat, Paddy, Patsy and Pa in Ireland while Pate and Patie and Para can be found in Scotland. Padraigin, an Irish diminutive, is now also used to translate Patricia. Patrick is often given in conjunction with Joseph, and bearers are sometimes called Pa Joe. Famous names: St Patrick, Paddy Moloney founder member of the legendary Chieftains. Patrick Pearse, the rebel leader of 1916 and Irish golf star Padraig Harrington. |
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Paul
Pol |
Latin: ‘Little'. In the bible Paul is the Roman name given to the Hebrew name Saul 'asked for'. The Latin word paulus gives rise to one of the most popular Christian names which commemorate the apostle and is widely used in most countries with a strong Catholic tradition. The name remains very popular in modern times. Famous names Irish singer songwriter Paul Brady, Irish GAA Football star Paul Brady and famous ex-Beatle singer songwriter Paul McCartney. |
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Perce
Pearse |
Latin: ‘Stone’. A variant of Pierce, itself a variant of Peter. Its earliest prominent use was recorded as one of the Butler family, Lord Dunboyne, the third son of Edward Butler, who was referred to as both Perce and Peter. Famous name: Irish screen actor Pierce Brendan Brosnan born in Drogheda County Louth in 1953, entrepeneur and owner of Livingston FC Pearse Flynn and Wexford born singer sogwriter Pierce Turner. |
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Peregrine
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Latin: 'Pilgrim'. Tradition tells of a hermit living in the hills in Italy back in the seventh century. Locals believed him to be a far-wandered Irish prince and called him ‘Il pellegrin'. He was canonised as St Peregrine or Pellegrino in Italian. He was cured of cancer, after he received a vision of Christ on the cross reaching out His hand to touch his impaired limb. He died in 1345 and was canonized in 1726. He is the patron of cancer patients. The name Peregrine appears in England around the thirteenth century and came to be used to anglicise the traditional Westmeath and Offaly name Cuchoigcriche, ‘Hound of the border'. Pet versions are Per and Perry. |
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Peter
Peadar |
Latin: ‘Stone’, ’Rock’. One of a few Celtic names which share almost identical forms between Gaelic and Welsh with the Irish form Peadar sounding identical to the Welsh Pedr. Another biblical origin. The Apostle Simon was given the Aramaic name Cephas ‘rock’ by Christ which was then translated into Greek as Petros. Although the Norman forms of Piers and Pierce have been historically stronger in Ireland, nowadays Peter is equally popular. A name also closely associated with Patrick. Famous names: Peadar O Cearnaigh, uncle of the writer Brendan Behan and the Irish Republican who in 1907 wrote the lyrics to ‘The Soldier’s Song’ -‘Amhrán na bhFiann’ which is now the Irish National Anthem. Milwaukee born singer songwriter Peter Mulvey. |
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Philip
Pilib |
Greek: 'Lover Of Horses'. A popular name brought to Ireland by the Anglo-Normans. Has been Gaelicised as Filib and Filips. Originated historically as the name of kings of Macedonia, including the father of Alexander the Great. Famous name: Irish rock legend Phil Lynott (1949-1986). Born son of a Brazilian father and Irish mother Philomena Lynott Phil and raised in Dublin by his grandmother Sarah Phil went on to become leader of the highly successful band Thin Lizzy Phil. New Zealand television and film adventurer Phil Keoghan and accordionist Phil Cunningham. |
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Pierce
Piaras |
French: ‘Rock’. Brought to Ireland as Piers, this Norman French form of the name Pierre was commonly used in England long before the name Peter became established in the early Middle Ages. In Ireland Piers/Pierce produced the Gaelic forms Piaras and Fiaras, and the variant Feories. These names gave rise to surnames such as Kerrisk, Kierse and MacKerrisk. Famous name: Irish screen actor Pierce Brendan Brosnan born in Drogheda County Louth in 1953, entrepreneur and owner of Livingston FC Pearse Flynn and Wexford born singer songwriter Pierce Turner. |
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Piers
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French: ‘Rock’. Variant of Pierce Brought to Ireland by the Norman French. This form of the name Pierre was commonly used in England long before the name Peter became established in the early Middle Ages. In Ireland Piers/Pierce produced the Gaelic forms Piaras and Fiaras, and the variant Feories. These names gave rise to surnames such as Kerrisk, Kierse and MacKerrisk. Famous name: newspaper editor and TV personality Piers Morgan, Irish screen actor Pierce Brendan Brosnan born in Drogheda County Louth in 1953, and Wexford born singer songwriter Pierce Turner. |
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